Overview
- The Uzbekistan Football Association announced Cannavaro’s appointment on Monday, confirming he will lead the national team at the 2026 World Cup.
- Uzbekistan clinched its first-ever World Cup berth in June under local coach Timur Kapadze.
- Local press reports indicate Kapadze could remain within Cannavaro’s coaching staff.
- Reports say the federation explored other high-profile candidates, including Joachim Löw and Paulo Bento, before finalizing the hire.
- Cannavaro, 52, recently had a brief spell at Dinamo Zagreb, won the 2019 Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande, and previously coached China for two matches in 2019.